Bottom Line:
After some beach hiking (Hobuck, Rialto), a return to the mountains. Spectacular! Probably the best balsamroot show I have seen at Sauer with dense flowers from top to bottom. Lupine is just starting at the bottom - the optimal timing for the mix of the two will probably come in 2 weeks or so, depending on weather. Plenty of balsamroot still just getting going in shady areas up high. Also lots of blue bells and clover. Beautiful ponderosa pine trees, and great views of the blooming orchards far below, and the Enchantments in the distance. Also scouted Iron Bear and Cashmere Canyon trails - details below. CAUTION: Ticks
Stats:
- Distance: 5.6 miles
- Duration: 3-1/4 hours
- Vertical: 2020 ft
- Road/Parking: Snow on Snoqualmie Pass but the road was bare. The trailhead is at the end of Anderson Canyon Rd off North Rd in Peshastin. There is a "no parking beyond this point" on Anderson at the North Rd junction, but there is limited parking for ~10 cars at the end of the road for trailhead access (and another "no parking beyond this point" from there back to North Rd). The nice thing about the limited parking is that it keeps this trail very quiet.
- Weather: A mix of sun and cloud, breezy becoming calm, 40F-60Fs depending on elevation. Cloud and snow showers over the Cascade peaks. The wind is a challenge for taking flower pics :) NOTE: Frost warning overnight 4/21-22; not sure what impact will be on blooms
- Water: There is no water on this trail for filtering; carry water. In general, the trail is quite dry and a bit dusty.
- Flowers: You know it is going to be a good day when you can see distant balsamroot-coated yellow/orange hills on the descent into Leavenworth via Hwy 97! The fruit orchards are also in full bloom - beautiful! Timing was good for this hike - I do not think I have ever seen such dense balsamroot on Sauer - top to bottom. It is peak at the bottom, but still lots of blooms to come up high in shaded spots. Lupine is just starting at the bottom, so as typical, the balsamroot will start fading before it gets mixed in with lupine for spectacular splashes of orange/purple. Among the flowers seen, in descending order of prevalence: balsamroot, blue bells, giant clover, lanceleaf springbeauty, biscuitroot, desertparsley, oregon grape, glacier lily, lupine, corn lily and phacelia. The only faded flower was glacier lily. As you can see from the attached Sauer flower list, lots of varieties yet to come! CAUTION: Ticks, some of which you can see on the flowers themselves.
- Trail: The trail starts on private property and quickly transitions to National Forest. Of course, important to respect the private property to maintain access. Sauer can be done as a loop (see map pic), I think best "clockwise". (the junction is at the base of the first rock face as you head up the hill). Note that the descent (when taken clockwise) is quite steep and sandy in sections - poles are helpful! The trail was very quiet - only saw a handful of other folks. It is moderate, but has a few steep sections, especially near the top. It is dry and becoming dusty in spots, with a few down trees to (easily) step over or under. There are marmots in the cliff section near in the bottom if you look - a loud whistle made me jump! The ascent is through an open pine forest with great views of the valley and mountains, with loads of flowers at every turn. There is a slightly unsightly forest road crossing within 1/4-mile of the Sauer Mt summit.
- Takeaway: I have never done this trail later in the spring when the flower mix changes but would like to do that at some point. As always, this is a reliable trail for early flower shows.
I will post a short video later today. Happy Earth Day!
NOTES:
- Checked out NF-9714 to the Iron Bear Trailhead on the return. Down trees have been cleared and road snow is easily passable through mile 2-1/2. It is probably a 1/2-mile walk from that point to the trailhead. Might want to bring a backup saw as a few trees hanging over the road that could fall.
- Also checked out Cashmere Canyon Preserve. The balsamroot is plentiful at the bottom, but not yet peaked, and there is very little lupine. This should be optimal in another 1-2 weeks, at least down low.
Comments
Pete R on Sauer's Mountain
Ok, you talked me into it! I was talking with some other parties at Sage Hills last weekend and everyone seemed to agree that the balsamroot is having a banner year.
That vivid blue flower with the white center is spectacular! I'll have to keep my eye out for it.
Posted by:
Pete R on Apr 23, 2025 10:12 AM
Alpine Wanderer on Sauer's Mountain
That blue flower, just like last year, is when you first enter a shady forest about 1/2 way up the ascent... it seems to like a cool, darker and moist environment. There were not many of them, but really beautiful (blue being a fairly rare color). Have fun! :)
Posted by:
Alpine Wanderer on Apr 23, 2025 11:40 AM